Evaluation Use and Influence:

A Review of Theoretical and Empirical Research

Abstract

  Internationally, Japan’s evaluation system is considered well-established. Research on evaluation use and influence, however, has not yet been fully developed in Japan. To fill this gap, this article reviews related studies, focusing on independent variables (causes of changes) and dependent variables (changes: use or influence). The concept of evaluation influence is able to not only expand a range of dependent variables, such as social betterment, as opposed to the use itself, as the ultimate goal of evaluation, but also focus on gaining a comprehensive understanding of relations between each independent and dependent variables using program theory. It seems difficult for social betterment to be operationalized clearly in empirical studies, but various contexts underlying evaluations in a variety of countries can be accepted. Future Japanese research will contribute to build a comprehensive theory of evaluation influence.